We’ve all seen the Keffiyeh scarf, a traditional headdress worn by Arab men, become a hipster staple. I won’t delve into the multiple viewpoints that subject can ignite, but it serves to illustrate that clothing distinctive to a specific culture and history can become a stylish part of a modern wardrobe.
When I was younger I lived in Germany for a few years and my sisters and I all possessed matching dirndl dresses at the time. Outside of Europe these dresses can be difficult to find, but Bows and Bandits Vintage has a variety to offer.
They might not be the new keffiyeh, but they have been popping up on the runways and can still look great and be worn a variety of ways without making the wearer look too Oktoberfest-ish. I’m wearing my Bows and Bandits dirndl dress backwards.
A very literal interpretation was seen NYFW Spring 2010 on Christian Lacroix and past collections of Miu Miu and Anna Sui have also taken inspiration from the dirndl.
Dirndl dresses: style that is here to stay.
Runway pictures via Style
